Genetic control of cellular infection by subgroups A and C RNA tumour viruses in guinea fowl

An investigation was carried out in guinea fowl to determine their susceptibility to infection by Rous sarcoma viruses of subgroups A and C. A standard dose of each subgroup virus was inoculated into 14-day-old embryos via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). On the 10th day after inoculation, 50% of the embryonic chorioallantoic membranes were harvested to assess their infection status (CAM(+) or (–)), while the rest were allowed to hatch. The hatchabilities of the embryos inoculated with subgroups A and C were about 50% and 57%, respectively. The relative sensitivities of guinea fowl to infection by viruses of subgroups A and C were observed to be 0.220 and 0.003, respectively, as compared to chickens (1.00). Mortality due to subgroup A virus-induced liver tumours (LT) was 54% and four phenotypic subclasses, namely CAM(+) LT(+), CAM(+) LT(–), CAM(–) LT(+) and CAM(–) LT(–), were observed in guinea fowl as in chickens. However, a higher incidence (31%) of conversely associated phenotypes, i.e. CAM(+) LT(–) and CAM(–) LT(+), were observed in guinea fowl. Mortality caused by subgroup A virus-induced liver tumours was first observed in inoculated guinea fowl keets during the 3rd week after hatching, and 93% of the mortality occurred within 6 weeks. The peak mortality occurred in the 4th week after hatching. The target organs for transformation were considered to be the liver and spleen because of the equal incidence of tumours in these organs. Males and females were equally likely to die from liver tumours. There was also a considerable reduction in the hatchability of guinea fowl embryos from eggs inoculated with either viral subgroup, as reported in chickens.Abbreviations BS Bryan standard - CAM chorioallantoic membrane - LL lymphoid leukosis - LT liver tumour - PCV pock count range - RSV Rous sarcoma virus - tva tumour virus (subgroup A) - tvc tumour virus (subgroup C)     

Studies on the Pathogenicity of Newcastle Disease Virus Isolates in Guinea Fowl

Newcastle disease viruses isolated from chickens and guinea fowl were characterized as viscerotropic, velogenic strains on the basis of their mean death time, intracerebral pathogenicity index, intravenous pathogenicity index and cloacal and conjunctival mean death time. The pathogenesis of the disease caused by both the strains was studied in 4-week-old guinea fowl. Both strains had an incubation period of 5 days and the birds showed dullness, depression, anorexia, diarrhoea and paralysis of the legs. They also exhibited nervous signs such as incoordination, muscle tremors and trembling of the neck at the advanced stage of the disease. Mortality reached 52% in the group infected with the chicken isolate but it was only 8% in the birds infected with the guinea fowl isolate. No specific changes were observed at post-mortem examination except haemorrhages at the tip of the glands of the proventriculus and in the caecal tonsil. Changes in the lymphoid organs and brain were always present in both the groups. Despite the low mortality, the guinea fowl isolated had multiplied in various organs in the birds. In both groups, the frequency of virus isolation increased from 5 to 10 days post infection.     

A case of acute pulmonary edema, splenomegaly, and ascites in guinea fowl

Acute pulmonary edema, splenomegaly, and ascites were observed in a disease outbreak in adult white and pearl guinea fowl. The clinical history and gross and microscopic lesions resembled those described for marble spleen disease of pheasants and avian adenovirus group II splenomegaly of chickens. A small number of intranuclear inclusion bodies were found in liver, spleen, and lung sections of affected guinea fowl. Attempts to isolate virus and serological tests to detect the presence of viral antigens were unsuccessful. Adult female pearl guinea fowl experimentally exposed to pheasant and turkey isolates of type II avian adenoviruses developed gross and microscopic lesions similar to those seen in the field outbreak. The pheasant isolate was the more virulent. Intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in liver, spleen, and lung sections of pearl guinea fowl inoculated with either of the virus isolates, and direct immunofluorescent examination revealed viral antigen in the spleen and lung.     

Evaluation of interspecific hybrids of the chicken, guinea fowl, and Japanese quail for innate resistance to coccidia

Experimental chicken/guinea fowl hybrids, guinea fowl, and chickens were orally inoculated with Eimeria acervulina or E. tenella, which are specific for chickens, or with E. grenieri, which is specific for guinea fowl. No intact oocysts were found in feces within 24 hr of inoculation, suggesting that excystation occurred in the normal and abnormal hosts. No oocysts were found in the feces of hybrids during a 9-day postinoculation period. The guinea fowl passed oocysts of guinea fowl coccidia (E. grenieri) but not those of chicken coccidia, and the chickens passed oocysts of chicken coccidia (E. acervulina and E. tenella) but not those of guinea fowl coccidia. Some asexual development (schizogony) occurred in hybrids inoculated with E. tenella, but sexual development (gametogony) did not. In contrast, quail/chicken hybrids became infected with oocysts of chicken coccidia (E. acervulina, E. tenella, and E. maxima) and quail coccidia (E. bateri) and passed a few oocysts during the normal patent period; control chickens and quails became heavily infected with oocysts of chicken and quail coccidia, respectively.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XVIII. The crowned guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), an important host of immature ixodid ticks

The tick burdens of 10 crowned guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), shot at approximately 3-monthly intervals in the Mountain Zebra National Park, and of 21 crowned guinea fowl from the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, the majority of which were shot at monthly intervals, were determined. No adult ticks were recovered from any of the guinea fowl. The birds in the Mountain Zebra National Park harboured 4 species of ixodid ticks of which Amblyomma marmoreum was the most abundant and most prevalent. Three birds also harboured Hyalomma marginatum turanicum. Six ixodid tick species were present on guinea fowl in the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve. Of these Amblyomma hebraeum was the most abundant and all the birds were infested. Most of these birds were also infested with A. marmoreum and Haemaphysalis silacea and some harboured Hyalomma marginatum rufipes. The seasonal abundance of ticks on crowned guinea fowl is discussed.     

Features of eggshell formation in guinea fowl: kinetics of shell deposition, uterine protein secretion and uterine histology

1. Rate of calcium carbonate deposition, duration of eggshell formation, organic composition of the uterine fluid, morphology of the egg shells and histochemistry of the uterus were studied in guinea fowl to analyse the origin of such thick, strong egg shells. 2. The egg shell was linearly deposited from 6.4 h to 21.8 h after the oviposition of the previous egg. The rate of egg shell deposition was similar to that in laying hens. However, the duration of linear shell deposition was increased by 2.1 h relative to that in hens. This explained the increased egg shell weight observed in the guinea fowl. 3. Intervals between oviposition of intra-clutch eggs were 24 h throughout the laying period. Ovulation occurred just after oviposition of the previous egg in the guinea fowl, as previously observed in hens but the duration of egg white protein deposition, of plumping and of initiation of shell mineralisation were all 1.5 h shorter than in domestic hen. 4. Uterine fluid can only be collected during the growth and terminal phase of shell formation. The electrophoretic profiles of the uterine fluid differed between phases and were somewhat different from those previously observed in the hen. Ovalbumin and ovocleidin-17 were both present in the uterine fluid and also in egg shell extract. Ovocleidin-17 was predominant during the growth phase. 5. The histology of the uterus differed slightly in guinea fowl compared to hens. Ovocleidin and ovalbumin are both secreted by the tubular glands. 6. Examination of radial ultrathin sections of eggshell showed, above the mammillary layer, intricate interlacing of adjacent exospherite in guinea fowl in contrast to the continuous columnar microstructure in hens. 7. The kinetics of egg shell deposition largely explains the increased egg shell weight of guinea fowl. The organic matrix proteins may be associated with the contrast between the structural organisation of the guinea fowl egg shell and that of the hen egg shell.     

Molecular characterization of MHC class II region in guinea fowl

1. The MHC class II gene was amplified, cloned and sequenced in guinea fowl. 2. The NumeMHC II sequence of 754 nucleotides included complete exon 1 (91 nt), exon 2 (270 nt), exon 3 (282 nt) and exon 4 (110 nt). 3. The size of β(1) and β(2), domains were 89 and 93 amino acids, respectively in guinea fowl. 4. High amino acid variability (38·2%) was observed within guinea fowl in β(1) domain, while in β(2) domain, amino acid variability (6·3%) was low. 5. Among poultry species, the percent amino acid identity between guinea fowl and chicken, quail, pheasant and duck was 38·8, 42·2, 44·4 and 58·8 in β(1) domain; and 13·8, 17·0, 13·8 and 27·6 in β(2) domain, respectively. 6. Sequence alignment with mammalian and avian MHC showed that many of the conserved features of MHC class II glycoprotein was conserved in guinea fowl. 7. Within-species genetic distances (Poisson correction) based on cumulative amino acid variability in β(1) domain and β(2) domains was 0·141 in guinea fowl. 8. Guinea fowl showed low and similar genetic distances with all the poultry species (0·255-0·268) except duck (0·456). 9. Guinea fowl made separate branch within the major cluster having chicken, quail and pheasant, showing equal distance from these poultry species, whereas duck MHC II clustered separately.     

Isolation of an adenovirus responsible for a case of pancreatitis in guinea fowl]

Necrotizing pancreatitis is observed in 2 to 4 week-old guinea poult. Virus isolation was attempted from the pancreata of naturally affected birds. The isolate was identified as a type 1 adenovirus, and it reproduced the disease when inoculated to sensible guinea fowl.     

Case of Bilateral Seminoma in a Trotter Stallion

This report describes a bilateral seminoma in a stallion. After slaughter, histological examination revealed that the tumour consisted predominantly of polyhedral tumour cells with large nuclei, obvious nucleoli and a small border of cytoplasm. The mitotic index was low and Ki67 staining revealed 4% nuclear staining. To our knowledge, this paper is the first using Ki67 staining as a method to evaluate the mitotic rate in a testicular seminoma in the stallion.     

The status of guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) in the epidemiology of infectious bursal disease (IBD) of poultry in Nigeria

A serological survey for IBD in market guinea fowls gave a total prevalence rate of 44.3% from five different locations in Nigeria. Guinea fowl keets were susceptible to experimental IBD infection and transmitted it to in-contact sentinel chickens. The infected guinea fowl keets showed the typical clinical-pathology and seroconversion for IBD. These results suggest that guinea fowls could play an active part in the epidemiology of IBD.     

Comparative apparent metabolisable energy values of high, medium and low tannin varieties of sorghum in cockerel, guinea fowl and quail

1. Nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolisable energy values (AMEN) of three varieties of sorghum (white-low tannin, brown-medium tannin and red-high tannin) were measured in three species of poultry (cockerel, guinea fowl and Japanese quail) by a practical diet replacement (total collection) method. 2. Each variety of sorghum was tested at two concentrations (200 and 400 g/kg of reference diet) in 6 replications with one cockerel or guinea fowl or two quails per replication. The duration of the trial included a 10 d preliminary feeding period (on conventional grower diet) followed by a 12 d adaptation period (on reference and test diets) and a 3 d balance period (with recording of feed intake and excreta output). 3. The calculated AMEN values of different sorghum varieties were: white--12.9, 12.8 and 12.7; brown--12.7, 12.3 and 12.6; and red--11.4, 11.1 and 11.6 MJ/kg for cockerels, guinea fowls and quails, respectively. The mean AMEN value of red sorghum (11.3 MJ/kg) was significantly lower than those of brown (12.5 MJ/kg) or white sorghum (12.8 MJ/kg). A negative correlation was observed between tannin concentration and AMEN. 4. There was no significant difference in the AMEN values of white, brown and red sorghum varieties to the different poultry species. AMEN values of sorghum for the cockerel could, therefore, be used in practical feed formulation for guinea fowl and quail.     

Helminths of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Bashkir ASSR

Guinea fowl from different regions of Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (BASSR) were examined for helminths. Of the 547 fowl examined, 451 (82.4%) harboured at least one species of helminth. A total of 56,772 helminths were collected and classified. Of this number seven were found to be trematodes, 25 cestodes and 56,740 nematodes. Five species of helminths were identified. Amongst infected birds, trematodes were present in three (0.7%), cestodes in eight (1.8%) and nematodes in 451 (100%). Of all recorded helminths, the incidence of Heterakis gallinarum (Gmelin, 1790) was highest. Pre-patent periods for seven species of trematodes were observed in guinea fowl for the first time.     

Twenty-eight new microsatellite loci in chicken and their cross-species amplification in Japanese quail and helmeted guinea fowl

Twenty‐eight original chicken microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized to determine their utility as cross‐reactive markers for comparative genetic mapping in the order Galliformes. Primer pairs were typed in 12 unrelated chickens and also tested on Japanese quail and helmeted guinea fowl deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Polymorphism was observed in 23 (82.1%) of the markers and the average number of alleles per locus was 2.9 while the mean heterozygosity was 0.19. Eleven (39.3%) of the chicken markers cross‐reacted with Japanese quail DNA and 2 (7.1%) with helmeted guinea fowl DNA. The cross‐reactive markers described would serve as useful resources for comparative genetic mapping in poultry species belonging to the order Galliformes.     

Guinea fowl (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Numidia meleagris</Emphasis>) production by small-holder farmers in Zimbabwe

Guinea fowls are a source of high-value meat and eggs, and the birds are more disease resistant than other types of birds. A survey was conducted in ward 23, Chipinge district, Zimbabwe, to characterise guinea fowl management practices and to identify constraints and potential opportunities for increased guinea fowl productivity. Purposive sampling was used to select 84 out of possible 252 guinea fowl owners. Data were collected by direct observation on guinea fowl varieties, feeding strategies and housing facilities. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on farmer experiences, perceptions and common challenges encountered. A chi-squared test was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The study revealed that famers keep guinea fowls under free-range management. The average production indices were flock size 18 ± 12, egg production 89 ± 50, hatchability 63.8% and keet survival rate of 75%. Approximately 42.9% of the farmers provide supplementary feed albeit not systematically. There was a significant association between provision of supplementary feed and keet survival rate (χ ² = 21.600, df = 2, P < 0.016) as well as provision of housing and flock size (χ ² = 38.508, df = 3, P < 0.018). The housing provided was substandard. Major challenges faced by farmers were predation, low hatchability and lack of access to profitable markets. The provision of supplements and better housing for birds could improve guinea fowl productivity.     

The Structure of the Harderian Gland of the Guinea Fowl at Embryonic and Post Embryonic Stages

The Harderian gland of the guinea fowl is a bright, pink and relatively large orbital organ situated at the ventromedial aspect of the orbit. It possesses a single duct that has its exit on the convex medial surface. The outline is irregular with its caudal half narrower than the rostral half, and possessing a slight constriction about the mid point. Histologically, the gland had been outlined with the existence of a large contorted lumen by day 18 of incubation. The surface epithelial lining showed two layers of cells all through and lymphocytes were also present. By day 19 of incubation, certain zones of the surface epithelium had become pseudostratified and some of these cells contained vacuoles indicative of secretory materials within their cytoplasm. By day 21, few definitive acini with lumina had been observed and at day 23, the epithelium had assumed only a single layer of cells that were tall columnar cells, except at the junctions of the folds. By day 24, the tunica propria seemed to have completely disappeared with the acini occupying every available space. Plasma cells were seen three days after hatching.     

Genetic studies on primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes in guinea fowl

1. The primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was determined by haemagglutination test in guinea fowl. The effects of various genetic and non‐genetic factors on immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl were also estimated.

2. The immune response to sheep RBCs was normally distributed in guinea fowl with mean titre at 1.534 ± 0.014.

3. In guinea fowl, effects on titre values of sire and variety (feather colour) were significant whereas sex and sex × variety interaction effects were non‐significant.

4. The estimate of heritability for immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl was 0.35 ±0.17.     

Organic matrix composition and ultrastructure of eggshell: a comparative study.

1. The avian eggshell is a biomineralised composite ceramic consisting of calcium carbonate embedded in an organic matrix. Matrix components are supposed to be involved in the control of mineralisation, crystallographic texture and biomechanical properties of eggshell. 2. The structure and eggshell matrix composition of various domesticated bird species were compared to gain insight into the universality of the eggshell mineralisation process. 3. The SDS-PAGE profiles of soluble eggshell matrix were specific within groups of birds (a: laying hen, breeder hen, quail, pheasant and possibly turkey; b: guinea fowl; c: duck and goose) but some of the protein bands were common to all groups. 4. Analogies between species were confirmed by Western blotting using hen protein antibodies. Ovocleidin-17 (OC-17) and ovalbumin were revealed in all species (except quail for OC-17). Lysozyme was present only in hen eggshell. Another egg white protein: ovotransferrin showed a positive signal in hens, turkey and quail. Osteopontin was observed in laying and breeder hens and quail. 5. Different proteoglycans were localised to discrete regions within the eggshell. Dermatan sulphate was observed within the matrix of the calcified shell of all species except quail which contained chondroitin-6-sulfate. Keratan sulphate was observed in mammillary bodies of breeder and laying hen, quail, pheasant and turkey while chondroitin sulphate was also present in guinea fowl and duck. 6. The general structural organisation of the different avian eggshells was similar but specific differences were observed in the ultrastructure of the mammillary layer. Species of the same taxonomic family could be grouped according to their structural analogies: breeder hen, turkey and pheasant resembled that of the domestic fowl. Guinea fowl was unique. Goose and duck were quite similar with large and confluent mammillary bodies. 7. Some matrix components are therefore common to eggshells of various species but more information is needed to relate differences in matrix composition between taxonomic groups with differences in ultrastructure.     

Infiltrating Foxp3+ Regulatory T cells and Histopathological Features in Canine Classical and Spermatocytic Seminomas

In humans, regulatory T (T reg) cells are known to play a critical role in both the regulation of immune homoeostasis and the progression of cancer. However, there is little information about the identification, characterization and the function of T reg cells in canine tumours. We identified T reg cells in 28 canine seminoma samples using a Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) antibody and investigated the relationship between T reg cell infiltration and histopathological features of classical and spermatocytic seminomas (SE and SS, respectively). The Foxp3 protein showed nuclear immunostaining in infiltrating lymphocytes, and Foxp3+ cells were diffused or focally distributed in seminoma tissues. Foxp3+ cells were frequently present in the SS histotype, in seminomas that showed no evidence of tumour cell invasion into the vessels and in seminomas showing a diffuse growth pattern with three cell types. Neither the SE/SS histotype nor the histopathological features of the tumour correlated with Foxp3+ cell counts. These results indicate that Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with a less malignant histological phenotype or may not play a critical role in the immune response of canine seminomas. Moreover, Foxp3+ T reg cells may be associated with SS seminoma, but further studies, involving a larger number of samples, are required to better understand whether these cells play a critical role in the immune response in canine seminomas. This is the first report to demonstrate the characteristics of T reg cell infiltration in canine seminoma.     

Response of Chickens to Infection with Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from a Guinea Fowl

An isolate of Newcastle disease virus obtained from a guinea fowl was characterized as a viscerotropic velogenic strain based upon pathogenicity index studies. Following inoculation of the viral isolate oronasally into 3-week-old chickens, clinical signs appeared after an incubation period of 4–5 days and included dullness, depression, dyspnoea, diarrhoea and leg paralysis. The virus caused a mortality of 56% with haemorrhages at the tip of the glands of the proventriculus and caecal tonsil. Histopathological changes were prominent in the lymphoid organs, being characterized by depletion, degeneration and necrosis of the lymphoid tissues. The brain was the first organ affected, with changes being noticed 3 days after infection. Isolation of virus from various organs was more frequent from 5 to 10 days after infection, but the virus persisted in some of the organs until 21 days after infection. In spite of the high mortality, a good immune response was elicited by the isolate, as was evident from the antibody titre.     

Capillariasis in a vulture guinea fowl

A case of capillariasis was diagnosed in a 5-yr-old male vulture guinea fowl (Acryllium vulturinum) with clinical signs of weakness, anorexia, and vomition. Necropsy revealed that the bird was severely emaciated and the liver was congested. The entire mucosa of the crop and esophagus was severely thickened as a result of the presence of fibrinonecrotic white plaques mixed with numerous nematodes. Histopathology of the crop and esophagus revealed multifocal areas of necrosis of the mucosa, severe inflammation, and squamous cell hyperplasia. Numerous nematode adults, larvae, and eggs consistent with the morphology of Capillaria sp. were found within the mucosa. The nematodes were identified as Capillaria contorta. Similar cases of capillariasis have been diagnosed in other vulture guinea fowl.